agape
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for agape, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — With the mouth wide open, usually because of surprise, shock or wonder.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
With the mouth wide open, usually because of surprise, shock or wonder.
“She stood there with her mouth agape at the size of the bill.”
Opposites
2. noun religious
Selfless, unconditional love, especially the love of God for humanity and the love Christians are called to show one another.
“The sermon drew a line between agape and mere sentiment.”
How to use agape
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The 'mouth open' sense is literary; the 'love' sense belongs to theology and sermons.
Etymology
The adjective is from a- 'in a state of' plus gape. The noun is from Greek agapē, meaning love.
Full origin of agape →